Ammonia And Nitric Acid Formulae Properties Preparation: Structure, Applications, Uses, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:17 PM IST

Ammonia is one of the most commonly manufactured chemicals in the United States. It is one of the most common hydrides in the atmosphere. Ammonia present in the atmosphere is produced mainly by the decomposition of bacteria released from the nitrogen element of animals and plants. The IUPAC name for ammonia is azan. NH3 is the chemical formula for ammonia. Ammonia has different properties.

This Story also Contains

Preparation Of Ammonia-NH3
Ammonia Properties-NH3
Applications Of Ammonia-NH3
Preparation Of Nitric Acid-HNO3
Properties Of Nitric Acid-HNO3
Applications Of Nitric Acid-HNO3

Ammonia And Nitric Acid Formulae Properties Preparation: Structure, Applications, Uses, FAQs

At the beginning of the 20th century, Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald developed a process to obtain nitric acid from ammonia. Developing nitric acid helped Germany manufacture explosives during World War II without having to import it from other countries like Chile, the chemical formula for nitric acid is HNO3.

Preparation Of Ammonia-NH3

Trace amounts of Azane/Ammonia are present in soil and air due to the decomposition of nitrogenous organic matter.

For small-scale production, ammonium salts are converted to ammonia with caustic soda.

The Haber process is used for large scale production. The steps involved in the Haberian process are:

Nitrogen and hydrogen are used as starting materials for the reaction. Impurities in the gas are removed by a process called a scrubber.
After the cleaning process, the gases are combined and passed through a compressor. The mixture is then compressed at a pressure of 200 atmospheres.
The compressed gas then passes through a converter where it is heated to a temperature of 450°C and a pressure of 200 atmospheres. Nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to form ammonia, but only about 15% of the gas is formed.
A mixture of ammonia, hydrogen and nitrogen is removed from the converter. Once liquefied in the tank, it is cooled and recovered.

Ammonia Properties-NH3

Ammonia properties are as follows:

Azane is a naturally colourless gas with a pungent odour.
Boiling at 198.4 K and 239.7 K.
This gas is soluble in water. Aqueous solutions of NH3 are weak bases because OH ions are formed.
Ammonium salts are formed in a reaction with acids.

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Applications Of Ammonia-NH3

The properties of Ammonia in its aqueous state are used as a refrigerant.
Used in the manufacture of urea. Urea is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer.
Azane can be used to remove grease due to its cleaning properties.

Preparation Of Nitric Acid-HNO3

For small-scale production, this gas is produced by heating concentrated sulfuric acid with NaNO3 or KNO3. The Ostwald method is used for large-scale preparations. NH3 is catalytically oxidized by atmospheric oxygen at 500 K and 9 bar pressure in the presence of Pt/Rh as catalyst. The resulting nitrogen oxides react with oxygen to form NO2. The NO2 formed dissolves in H2O to form HNO3.

Properties Of Nitric Acid-HNO3

Colourless in nature.
The liquid boils at 84.1°C and solidifies at -41.55°C to form a white solid.
Acts as a strong acid that dissociates to form nitrate and hydronium.
HNO3 is a strong oxidant in a concentrated form.

Applications Of Nitric Acid-HNO3

It has it’s application in the production of fertilizers.
Used in the manufacture of many types of polymers, including polyamides and polyurethanes.
Nitric acid is also used primarily for cleaning precious metals such as platinum, gold and silver.
Dilute nitric acid is used in the woodwork to finish maple and pine wood and give it an aged appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the chemical formula of ammonia?

The chemical formula of ammonia is NH3. This means that one nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms in a pyramidal structure.

2. Why does ammonia have a pyramidal shape?

Ammonia has a pyramidal shape due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. The three N-H bonds are pushed away from this lone pair, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal geometry with bond angles of approximately 107°.

3. How does the lone pair in ammonia affect its properties?

The lone pair in ammonia makes it a Lewis base, allowing it to donate electrons and form coordinate covalent bonds. This contributes to ammonia's ability to act as a ligand in coordination compounds and its basic nature in aqueous solutions.

4. How does the structure of ammonia contribute to its high solubility in water?

Ammonia's high solubility in water is due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds. The lone pair on the nitrogen atom can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, while the hydrogen atoms in ammonia can also form hydrogen bonds with the oxygen atoms in water molecules. This extensive hydrogen bonding network makes ammonia highly soluble in water.

5. How does the basicity of ammonia compare to other nitrogen-containing compounds?

Ammonia is more basic than most other nitrogen-containing compounds due to the availability of its lone pair for donation. It is more basic than primary amines (RNH2) because the alkyl groups in amines have an electron-donating effect, making the lone pair less available. However, ammonia is less basic than some secondary and tertiary amines due to solvation effects in aqueous solutions.

6. What is meant by the term "ammonia solution" and how does it differ from pure ammonia?

An ammonia solution refers to ammonia dissolved in water, also known as aqueous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide. It differs from pure ammonia (a gas at room temperature) in that the dissolved ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium (NH4+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions, resulting in a basic solution.

7. What is the significance of ammonia in biological systems?

Ammonia plays crucial roles in biological systems. It is a key component in the nitrogen cycle, being produced by the breakdown of organic matter and serving as a nutrient for plants. In animals, ammonia is a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism that is converted to urea in the liver. Understanding ammonia's behavior is essential in biochemistry, environmental science, and medicine.

8. How does ammonia act as a ligand in coordination compounds?

Ammonia acts as a ligand in coordination compounds by donating its lone pair of electrons to a metal ion, forming a coordinate covalent bond. This makes ammonia a monodentate ligand. The resulting complexes, such as [Cu(NH3)4]2+, often have distinct colors and properties, making them important in inorganic chemistry and analytical applications.

9. What is the environmental impact of ammonia, and how is it managed?

Ammonia can have significant environmental impacts. In water, it can be toxic to aquatic life and contribute to eutrophication. In the air, it can form particulate matter, affecting air quality. To manage these impacts, regulations control ammonia emissions from agricultural and industrial sources. Proper handling and application of ammonia-based fertilizers and treatment of ammonia-containing wastewater are crucial management strategies.

10. What is the role of ammonia in the production of fertilizers?

Ammonia is a crucial component in fertilizer production. It's directly used in anhydrous ammonia fertilizers and is the primary feedstock for producing other nitrogen-containing fertilizers like urea and ammonium nitrate. These fertilizers provide essential nitrogen for plant growth, making ammonia indispensable in modern agriculture and global food production.

11. What is aqua regia, and why is it significant in chemistry?

Aqua regia is a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in a 1:3 ratio. It is significant because it can dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum, which are resistant to other acids. This property makes aqua regia valuable in metal refining and analytical chemistry.

12. How does the concentration of nitric acid affect its properties and reactions?

The concentration of nitric acid significantly affects its properties and reactions. Dilute nitric acid behaves as a typical strong acid, donating protons in aqueous solutions. Concentrated nitric acid, however, is a powerful oxidizing agent. It can passivate certain metals like iron and aluminum by forming a protective oxide layer, while it vigorously oxidizes others, often producing nitrogen dioxide gas.

13. What is meant by the "fuming" of nitric acid, and what causes it?

"Fuming" nitric acid refers to highly concentrated nitric acid that releases reddish-brown fumes when exposed to air. This occurs because the concentrated acid partially decomposes to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is responsible for the characteristic color. Fuming nitric acid is an extremely potent oxidizer and is used in specialized applications in industry and research.

14. How does nitric acid contribute to acid rain, and what are the consequences?

Nitric acid contributes to acid rain when nitrogen oxides (NOx) from various sources react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere. This forms nitric acid, which falls as acid rain. The consequences include damage to forests, acidification of water bodies, corrosion of buildings and infrastructure, and negative impacts on soil chemistry and aquatic ecosystems.

15. How does nitric acid react with metals, and why is this reaction important?

Nitric acid reacts with most metals to form metal nitrates and nitrogen oxides. This reaction is important because it demonstrates nitric acid's strong oxidizing properties. The exact products depend on the concentration of the acid and the reactivity of the metal. This reaction is used in metal processing and in the production of various nitrate compounds.

16. What is the Haber process, and how is it related to ammonia?

The Haber process is an industrial method for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. It involves reacting N2 and H2 at high temperature and pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst. This process is crucial for the large-scale production of ammonia for fertilizers and other industrial applications.

17. How does temperature affect the yield of ammonia in the Haber process?

In the Haber process, lower temperatures favor a higher yield of ammonia because the reaction is exothermic. However, the reaction rate decreases at lower temperatures. Therefore, an optimal temperature (around 450°C) is used to balance reaction rate and yield.

18. Why is high pressure used in the Haber process?

High pressure is used in the Haber process because it shifts the equilibrium towards the product side according to Le Chatelier's principle. The reaction produces fewer gas molecules than it consumes, so increased pressure favors the forward reaction, increasing the yield of ammonia.

19. What is the role of the iron catalyst in the Haber process?

The iron catalyst in the Haber process lowers the activation energy of the reaction, allowing it to proceed at a faster rate without being consumed. It provides a surface for the reactants to adsorb and interact, facilitating the breaking of N≡N and H-H bonds and the formation of N-H bonds.

20. How does the concept of oxidation states apply to nitrogen in ammonia and nitric acid?

The concept of oxidation states is crucial in understanding the chemistry of nitrogen in ammonia and nitric acid:

21. How is nitric acid commercially produced?

Nitric acid is commercially produced through the Ostwald process. This three-step process involves: 1) oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide, 2) further oxidation of nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide, and 3) absorption of nitrogen dioxide in water to form nitric acid.

22. Why is platinum used as a catalyst in the first step of nitric acid production?

Platinum is used as a catalyst in the first step of nitric acid production (oxidation of ammonia) because it effectively lowers the activation energy for the reaction. It also resists corrosion under the harsh reaction conditions and promotes the selective formation of nitric oxide over other nitrogen oxides.

23. How does the acid dissociation constant (Ka) of nitric acid compare to other common acids?

Nitric acid has a very high acid dissociation constant (Ka), making it a strong acid. Its Ka is much higher than weak acids like acetic acid or carbonic acid, and it's comparable to other strong mineral acids like hydrochloric acid. This high Ka means that nitric acid almost completely dissociates in aqueous solutions, releasing a high concentration of H+ ions and contributing to its strong acidic properties.

24. What is the importance of nitric acid in the production of explosives?

Nitric acid is crucial in the production of many explosives due to its strong oxidizing properties and ability to introduce nitro groups into organic compounds. It's used to produce nitroglycerine, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and nitrocellulose, among others. The nitro groups introduced by nitric acid are responsible for the explosive properties of these compounds, as they rapidly decompose to release large volumes of gas and energy.

25. What are the safety considerations when handling ammonia and nitric acid?

Both ammonia and nitric acid require careful handling due to their hazardous nature. Ammonia is toxic if inhaled and can cause severe eye and respiratory irritation. Nitric acid is highly corrosive and a strong oxidizer, capable of causing severe burns and generating toxic fumes. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection, is essential. Both should be used in well-ventilated areas, and spill containment measures should be in place. Proper storage and segregation from incompatible materials are also crucial safety considerations.

26. What is the chemical formula of nitric acid?

The chemical formula of nitric acid is HNO3. It consists of one hydrogen atom, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms.

27. Why is nitric acid considered a strong acid?

Nitric acid is considered a strong acid because it completely dissociates in aqueous solutions, releasing H+ ions. This complete ionization results in a high concentration of hydrogen ions, giving nitric acid its strong acidic properties.

28. How does the structure of nitric acid contribute to its oxidizing properties?

The structure of nitric acid, with a central nitrogen atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, makes it a strong oxidizing agent. The nitrogen is in its highest oxidation state (+5), allowing it to readily accept electrons from other substances, thus oxidizing them.

29. How does the structure of nitric acid relate to its ability to form nitrate salts?

The structure of nitric acid (HNO3) includes a highly polarized O-H bond, allowing it to easily donate its proton. The remaining NO3- ion is stable and can form ionic bonds with various cations. This structural characteristic enables nitric acid to react with metals, metal oxides, or bases to form a wide range of nitrate salts, which are important in various industrial and agricultural applications.

30. How does nitric acid behave as an oxidizing agent in organic reactions?

In organic reactions, nitric acid acts as a powerful oxidizing agent due to its ability to donate oxygen atoms and accept electrons. It can oxidize alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids, depending on the conditions. Nitric acid is also used in nitration reactions, where it introduces nitro groups (-NO2) into organic compounds, a process important in the synthesis of many industrial and pharmaceutical products.

31. What is the significance of ammonia in refrigeration systems?

Ammonia is used as a refrigerant (R717) in large industrial refrigeration systems. Its significance lies in its excellent thermodynamic properties, including a high latent heat of vaporization, which makes it energy-efficient. Ammonia is also environmentally friendly, with zero ozone depletion potential and no direct contribution to global warming. However, its toxicity requires careful handling and safety measures.

32. What is the concept of hydrogen bonding in ammonia, and how does it affect its properties?

Hydrogen bonding in ammonia occurs between the lone pair of electrons on one nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom bonded to another nitrogen atom. This intermolecular force is responsible for many of ammonia's properties, including its relatively high boiling point for its molecular weight, its ability to form a liquid despite being a small molecule, and its high heat of vaporization. These hydrogen bonds also contribute to ammonia's excellent solubility in water.

33. How does the concept of Lewis acids and bases apply to ammonia?

In the context of Lewis acid-base theory, ammonia acts as a Lewis base. Its lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom can be donated to electron-deficient species (Lewis acids) to form coordinate covalent bonds. This property is fundamental to ammonia's role in coordination chemistry, its ability to neutralize acids, and its reactivity in many organic and inorganic reactions.

34. How does the presence of ammonia affect the pH of soil, and why is this important for agriculture?

Ammonia can increase the pH of soil, making it more alkaline. When ammonia is added to soil (e.g., through fertilizers), it reacts with water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). The hydroxide ions increase the soil's pH. This is important for agriculture because soil pH affects nutrient availability to plants. Most plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, so understanding and managing the effects of ammonia on soil pH is crucial for optimal crop growth and yield.

35. What is the role of nitric acid in the car battery industry?

Nitric acid plays a significant role in the car battery industry, particularly in the production of lead-acid batteries. It's used to oxidize lead to lead dioxide (PbO2) for the positive plates of the battery. The strong oxidizing power of nitric acid ensures efficient conversion of lead to lead dioxide, which is essential for the battery's performance. Additionally, nitric acid is used in the recycling process of lead-acid batteries to separate and recover lead from other components.

36. How does the molecular structure of ammonia contribute to its use as a cleaning agent?

The molecular structure of ammonia contributes to its effectiveness as a cleaning agent in several ways:

37. What is the significance of the nitrating mixture in organic synthesis?

The nitrating mixture, typically a combination of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids, is significant in organic synthesis for introducing nitro groups into aromatic compounds through electrophilic aromatic substitution. The sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst and dehydrating agent, enhancing the formation of the nitronium ion (NO2+) from nitric acid. This mixture is crucial for producing many important industrial and pharmaceutical compounds, including dyes, explosives, and drug precursors.

38. What is the importance of ammonia in the production of plastics and synthetic fibers?

Ammonia is a key starting material in the production of many plastics and synthetic fibers. It's used to produce:

39. How does the presence of nitric acid affect the corrosion of metals?

Nitric acid significantly affects metal corrosion due to its strong oxidizing properties: